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Faculty

Dr. Robert Dunston, Ph. D. Professor of Religion & Department Chair
Office:Bennett 116
Phone:(606) 539-4227 or 1-800-343-1609 ext 4227
Email:bob.dunston@ucumberlands.edu

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Dr. Bob Dunston joined the faculty of University of the Cumberlands in June 1983. He received a B.S. in mathematics from Virginia Tech, an M.Div. from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, and a Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Bob teaches Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, advanced courses in Old Testament and New Testament, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew, Missions, and Religion and Film. Dr. Bob holds the Franklin P. Owen Chair for Home and International Missions.

Dr. Bob has written curriculum for LifeWay Christian Resources and for Biblical Illustrator. He has also led Bible studies and served as interim in various churches. He serves as the treasurer of Theta Alpha Kappa, the national religion honor society and is a member of the American Academy of Religion, the National Association of Professors of Hebrew, and the Society of Biblical Literature.

Dr. Bob's Course Website

Courses Taught
RELG 133 Church History in the Baptist Tradition
RELG 135 Old Testament Survey
RELG 136 New Testament Survey
RELG 331 Advanced Study of the Old Testament
RELG 490: Advanced Topics in Religion: Religion and the Media
BLHB 241 Elementary Hebrew I
BLHB 242 Elementary Hebrew II
BLHB 331 Intermediate Hebrew I
BLHB 332 Intermediate Hebrew II

Publications and Presentations
"Hadad-ezer of Zobah." The Biblical Illustrator, Summer 2002

"Review of The Serpent Handlers." Now and Then, 2002.

"The Ark of the Covenant in the Time of Joshua." The Biblical Illustrator, Fall 2001.

"A Biographical Sketch of Marvin E. Tate." An Introduction to Wisdom Literature and the Psalms, Eds. H. Wayne Ballard, Jr. and W. Dennis Tucker. Mercer University Press, 2000.

Teacher Lessons, LifeWay Explore the Bible Series: Summer 1999 and Spring 2001

 
Dr. Keith Goforth, Ph.D., CFLE Director of the Graduate Program in Christian Studies and Associate Professor of Religion
Office:Bennett 113
Phone:(606) 539-4222 or 1-800-343-1609 ext 4222
Email:keith.goforth@ucumberlands.edu

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Bachelor of Science in Social Work - Middle Tennessee State University Master of Arts in Religious Education - Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Ph.D. in Child Development and Family Studies - The University of Tennessee

Keith grew up on a small farm in the foothills of East Tennessee. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys a variety of sporting activities. Keith has served as a ministerial staff member at churches in Texas and Tennessee. Before coming to University of the Cumberlands he served as Assistant Professor of Educational Ministries at Campbellsville University. He is a certified as a family life educator by the National Council on Family Relations.

 
Dr. Kirby Clark, Ph. D. Associate Professor of Religion, Director of Supervised Ministry
Office:Bennett 118
Phone:(606) 539-4170 or 1-800-343-1609 ext 4170
Email:kirby.clark@ucumberlands.edu

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When he became a member of the University of the Cumberlands faculty in 2001, Dr. Kirby Clark brought with him over twenty-five years experience as a minister and professor of religion. He was a teaching assistant at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and has taught at Wayland Baptist University, as well as in the Seminary Extension Program at Belmont University.

Dr. Clark earned a BA in English and Philosophy at the University of New Mexico, MPS in public administration at Western Kentucky University, and the M.R.E. and Ph.D. degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Clark's primary areas of teaching are church ministry courses such as preaching and pastoral care.

Dr. Clark and his wife, Debby, have three grown children.

 
Dr. Rick Fleenor, Ed.D. Dean of the Chapel and Director of Church Relations Director of International Relations
Office:816 Walnut Street
Phone:(606) 539-4462
Email:rick.fleenor@ucumberlands.edu

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Bachelor of Science, Business Administration
May 1985
Cumberland College, Williamsburg, KY

Master of Arts, Christian Education
December 1991
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY

Doctor of Education, Leadership
May 2002
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY

Rick initially came to Cumberlands as an undergraduate student from his hometown in West Carrollton, Ohio. After graduating from college, he served churches in Columbus and Carlisle, Ohio, and in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Rick returned to Cumberland in 1991 and has served in a variety of roles at the university while also being actively involved as a member and assisting the staff of at Main Street Baptist Church in Williamsburg. He currently serves as an assistant to the President for the university, with responsibilities in Church Relations and International Relations, and as Dean of the Chapel. Rick and his wife, Martha, are the parents of one son, Cory.

 
Dr. Fred Cummings, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Religion
Office:Bennett 119
Phone:(606) 539-4345 or 1-800-343-1609 ext 4345
Email:fred.cummings@ucumberlands.edu

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Clear Creek Baptist Bible College
Bachelor of Science
1984 Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Master of Divinity
University of Wales (ABD)

Fred was born at Corbin, Kentucky but grew up in Ohio where he attended Miami University and worked as a shipping supervisor in a factory. He loves the outdoors and can't find enough time for pursuit of his favorite activity of bass fishing. Fred has been involved in some form of ministry since his return from Viet Nam in 1970. He has served as minister of music, minister of youth, combinations of of the aforementioned as well as pastor of a variety of churches in Kentucky and Virginia. Prior coming to the University of the Cumberlands Fred served as Dean of Students and Assistant Professor of Bible at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College. While teaching at the University of the Cumberlands he continues serving churches in supply and interim pastor roles.

 
Kate McKnight Secretary for Religion
Office:Bennett 112
Phone:(606) 539-4156 or 1-800-343-1609 ext 4156
Email:kate.mcknight@ucumberlands.edu

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Kate McKnight - Kate is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and graduated from UC in 2011 with a B.A. in English and Spanish. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Teaching Middle School English and Communications as well as her Spanish certification at UC.

 
Dr. Paul Chitwood, Ph.D. Adjunct Professor
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Paul Chitwood serves as Senior Pastor of First Baptist in Mt. Washington, Kentucky and as Assistant Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also has served as Kentucky Baptist Convention President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Chitwood is an alumnus of University of the Cumberlands and will be teaching the Christian Missions and Evangelism course in the Master of Arts in Christian Studies program.

 
Dr. Bill Henard, Ph.D. Adjunct Professor
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Bill Henard serves as Senior Pastor of Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky and as Assistant Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as a trustee at Lifeway Christian Resources, president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, and first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Henard is an alumnus of University of the Cumberlands and will be teaching the Pastoral Ministry course in the Master of Arts in Christian Studies program.

 
Dr. Chuck Lawless, Ph.D. Adjunct Professor
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Dr. Chuck Lawless is Vice President for Global Theological Advance at the International Mission Board. Dr. Lawless was formerly the Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He is an alumnus of Cumberland College (now the University of the Cumberlands) and graduated with a M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.He is the author of six works, including Membership Matters, Spiritual Warfare, Discipled Warriors, Making Disciples through Mentoring, and Putting on the Armor. He has contributed articles to denominational periodicals, written Sunday School curriculum for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, and led conferences on spiritual warfare, healthy church growth, leadership, evangelism and discipleship, and prayer.
Dr. Chris Stephens Adjunct Professor
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Dr. Chris Stephens is the Senior Pastor of Faith Promise Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Since joining Faith Promise Church in July 1996, Chris has been instrumental in facilitating the church's growth from 250 to almost 4,000 in attendance. Faith Promise was named in 2005, 2009 and 2010 as one of the 100 Fastest-Growing Churches in America by Outreach Magazine, with the current ranking of 48th. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. John Maxwell, distinguished leadership expert, speaker and author, chose Chris as one of the top 40 young leaders in America. Dr. Stephens will be teaching RGOL 637 - Planting High Impact Churches.